The 7th Annual Starnet Specifier Seminar was recently held in Chicago.

Geared toward specifiers of commercial flooring products, 33 representatives from across the U.S. and Canada met for two days to share best practices and learn how to increase specifications of Starnet vendor partner products.

Day one of the seminar was filled with inspiration for the specifiers to connect more closely with architects, designers, facility managers and end-users. Antron, seminar sponsor, kicked off the day with a presentation on the importance of performance in carpet specifications to meet and exceed end-user expectations. Later in the day, Neill Wilson, Antron's strategic accounts leader, and Kristin Stallings, Antron's product designer, reviewed their annual Global Color Trend Forecast.

Day two of the seminar, a healthcare director of facilities gave first-person experiences on his role and the value he received working with a flooring contractor. After the presentation the group had an open discussion on working with end-users sharing their experiences. The day ended with a private Mannington showroom unveiling of its latest floor coverings.

“Our speakers provided lots of inspiration and attendees were excited to start implementing what they learned to drive business through specification selling," said Jeanne Matson, Starnet's CEO and president.
 
In conjunction with the seminar, Starnet's board announced the formation of the new specifier and business development committee with the mission to develop standards and strategies for promoting Starnet members and vendor partners to the interior design and end-user communities.

“The committee’s long-term goal is to have a Starnet specifier/business developer in every major and secondary market in North America,” said Fred Williamson, executive vice president of Starnet.

During the committee’s formation meeting, Sheri Gorman of RD Weis Cos. was elected chairperson, and newly hired director of strategic accounts, Leah Ledoux, will advise the committee.

For more information, visit starnetflooring.com.